Indiana National Guardsmen Put Finishing Touches on COP Penich

Story Highlights

Army Pfc. Jason Wiley, a native of Monticello, Ind., works on constructing a new building at Combat Outpost Penich in Afghanistan's Kunar province, June 2. The six-month-old outpost is one of many being developed throughout Afghanistan after President Barack Obama called for 30,000 additional combat troops in Afghanistan earlier this year in order to provide increased security and humanitarian missions in the country's eastern and southern regions. Wiley is an Indiana National Guardsman with 2nd Platoon, 1613th Engineer Company. (Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Matthew C. Moeller, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

Spc. Moses Naas, of LaPorte, Ind., hammers down roofing insulation at Combat Outpost Penich in Afghanistan's Kunar province July 3. Naas and fellow members of the Indiana National Guard's 1613th Engineer Support Company, based in LaPorte, Ind., have been working around the clock to finish construction on the tiny six-month-old outpost. (Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Matthew C. Moeller, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

Spc. Jacob Morris, of Tipton, Ind., constructs a covering for Combat Outpost Penich's new water pump, July 3, as construction at the six-month-old base nears completion. Morris and fellow members of the Indiana National Guard's 1613th Engineer Support Company, based in LaPorte, Ind., arrived in Kunar province, Afghanistan, eight weeks ago, assuming responsibilities from the 65th Eng. Co., based in Fort Hood, Texas.

KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Indiana National Guardsmen from 2nd Platoon, 1613th Engineer Support Company are nearing completion of construction on Combat Outpost Penich, in Kunar province, Afghanistan, July 3.

The LaPorte, Ind., based National Guard unit replaced the 65th Eng. Co., from Fort Hood, Texas, who began construction in January.

"Were going through and putting the finishing touches on everything," said 2nd Lt. Darric Appel, a Hebron, Ind., native. "We hope to have everything finished up in about a week or so."

After completing the outpost's tactical operations center, winterizing the living quarters, and repairing several roofs that suffered heavy wind damage, all that remains for the unit is completion of COP Penich's latrines and shower facilities. Soldiers have been using outhouses and bottled water for personal hygiene since construction began six months ago.

"We pretty much look like a bunch of ants just running around everywhere," said Army Sgt. 1st Class Robin Siems, platoon sergeant for 2nd Plt., while speaking of his unit's rapid pace of construction.

The engineers' hard work has not gone unnoticed by the outpost's residents, Company A, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division.

"Once they started seeing the quality of our work, and how fast we were doing it, they were like, 'are you sure you can't stay,'" said Appel, grinning.

A Co. commander, Capt. Michael Harrison agrees, "they are very meticulous, very detail oriented," he said. "We're very impressed with the engineers overall."

In addition to normal base construction, the Indiana Guardsmen have taken on several projects, aimed at raising the COP's quality of life, such as constructing a deck and picnic tables around the dining facility.

"I just hope that somehow we made their lives better, or at least their living conditions better," said Appel. "We're out here, and were staying until the job's done."

When finished at COP Penich, the Guardsmen will provide construction support to another military instillation in eastern Afghanistan.

The six month old outpost is one of many being constructed throughout Afghanistan as additional troops pour into the country, providing increased security, training and humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people.

(Story by U.S. Army Sgt. Matthew C. Moeller, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)